Easy Cinnamon Apples (5 minutes)
Posted Sep 29, 2019, Updated Sep 13, 2024
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These cinnamon apples taste like a warm apple pie, but they are easy to make in 15 minutes on the stovetop! This cinnamon apples recipe is a delicious side dish, snack, or light dessert.
I can describe my favorite thing about fall in two simple words – Apple Season! If you find yourself with an abundance of delicious fall apples, you need to make these Cinnamon Apples! Not only are they easy to make in minutes, but they’re healthy and delicious!
These sautéed cinnamon apples are like eating a warm apple pie (or apple crumble pie), but without the crust! They take 15 minutes to prepare and can be used in a variety of ways!
Serve these Cinnamon Apples as a topping over pancakes, scoop them onto some vanilla ice cream or just eat them with a spoon for a healthy sweet treat! They are easy to customize to comply with just about every dietary need.
One of the reasons I created this healthy cinnamon apples recipe is so that my babies could enjoy eating apples too! These soft, cinnamony, bite-sized apples are perfect for adults and kids of all ages! (Note: when I serve these apples to my babies I do peel them first).
Sautéed Cinnamon Apples: Ingredients & Substitutions.
Let’s start by chatting about the ingredients in these cinnamon apples! This recipe uses coconut oil or butter, cinnamon, a dash of salt, vanilla and a touch of maple syrup to create the tastiest little bits of apple bliss you’ve ever eaten! Here are a few possible substitutes that could be made in this recipe.
- Apple Variety. I recommend honey crisp or pink lady apples, but any variety works beautifully in this recipe! Here are some suggestions:
- Gala
- Jonagold
- Golden delicious
- Honey Crisp
- Pink Lady (pictured in this post)
- Granny Smith
- Jazz
- Coconut oil. Butter or ghee can be used in place of coconut oil with delicious results! As you can see, I used butter in the photos and coconut oil in the video. Both taste amazing, just choose your favorite that complies with your dietary needs.
- Maple syrup. Honey is a great substitution, although I love the flavor of maple syrup in this recipe! You can also use granulated sugar, brown sugar, etc.
- Water. apple juice or apple cider can be used in place of water to add extra flavor.
How to Make Cinnamon Apples
Now let’s walk through how to make these sautéed apples step-by-step to ensure your success. Remember to watch the video for further guidance.
Begin by placing diced apples into a non-stick fry pan and add water. Cover and cook until the apples are slightly soft.
Then, add the maple syrup, vanilla, salt and cinnamon and stir until the ingredients are evenly distributed. Cover and cook again, stirring occasionally.
Once the apples are soft, remove the lid and cook uncovered until all the ingredients caramelize onto the apples and they brown slightly.
Serve
Transfer to a dish and serve the cinnamon apples warm. We like to serve them as a side dish, but they can also be used as a topping to your favorite breakfast recipes. Here are some serving suggestions:
- Mix into overnight oats.
- Scoop on top of homemade waffles.
- Serve over a piece of warm french toast.
- Add on top of apple cinnamon baked oatmeal (or this pumpkin baked oatmeal).
Store
Store leftover apples in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Cinnamon Apples Recipe FAQs
This cinnamon apples recipe is a healthy and nutritious way to enjoy fresh apples.
No, fresh apples don’t freeze well so I do not recommend freezing this recipe.
Yes! You can double or triple this recipe easily.
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Easy Cinnamon Apples Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 apples (about 3 cups, chopped)
- 2 Tablespoons water
- 1 Tablespoon salted butter (or coconut oil)
- 1 Tablespoon maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Cut apples into same-sized pieces (about ½-1” cubes).
- Put apples pieces into a skillet with 2 TBS water. Cover the pan and cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples become slightly soft and water is absorbed.
- Add 1 TBS of butter to the skillet. Stir apples and oil together until all the apples are coated. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring every minute or so, until the apples become soft (you may need to cover them for the last 2 minutes).
- Add Maple syrup, cinnamon, salt and vanilla. Stir until well mixed.
- Cook for about 5 more minutes, stirring every minute until the apples reach your desired softness.
- Remove from heat and serve.
Video
Notes
- Apple Variety. I recommend honey crisp or pink lady apples, but any variety works beautifully in this recipe! Here are some suggestions:
- Gala
- Jonagold
- Golden delicious
- Honey Crisp
- Pink Lady (pictured in this post)
- Granny Smith
- Jazz
- Butter. coconut oil or ghee are good substitutes.
- Maple syrup. Honey is a great substitution, although I love the flavor of maple syrup in this recipe! You can also use granulated sugar, brown sugar, etc.
- Water. apple juice or apple cider can be used in place of water to add extra flavor.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This recipe was wonderful – we love sauteed apples but always wished for less sugar and butter – and this recipe is perfect. The apples really shine through and the maple syrup and cinnamon are wonderful together.
Thank you so much Lynn!
You said you can’t freeze apples. Did you mean this recipe can’t be frozen? I freeze cut up apes all the time.
Quick to make, and delicious! I make a batch of these cinnamon apples often to add on top of yogurt and granola, smoothie bowls and more! My kids love them.
Thank you Liane!
Absolutely LOVED this recipe! However, I did have to make adjustments for my needs. I used: Lactose Free Unsalted Butter and
Sugar Free Honey! I added a bit more Vanilla and Cinnamon to counteract the honey taste but it came out amazing!
How do you make them without turning to mush? still really tasty but I felt like I could have made apple sauce 😛
note: They were softened enough after the 1st 5 mins
I suggest you stop cooking them as soon as you feel they are soft enough. Also, not peeling the apples helps them hold together.
You would probably not believe how many times a week I fix these apples. I have celiac disease and I’m always wanting something sweet but not real fattening. These hit the mark. And I found that Aldi’s bag of Honeycrisp apples are only $2.99! Thank you again for this recipe!
Wow! $2.99 is a great price! I miss Aldi – they need one out here in Utah! I’m so glad that you love this recipe!
We just cleaned up my grandparent’s orchard and we have sooo many apples! My youngest it just starting to eat more solid foods so I was so excited to try this recipe. She loved them so much she started pounding on her high chair. It was a huge hit with the whole fam! Thank you soooo much for sharing!
Awesome!!
Made tonight and everyone loved this recipe!!
Thanks for this recipe! 😍 I can’t wait to try making Cinnamon Apples!
“why are you giving me a tease taste of this thing that tastes like apple pie but isn’t apple pie?” – my partner.
Needless to say this was a huge hit in my home
I have always disliked cooked apples- it’s the main reason I could never enjoy apple pie. I’m not sure why, but this recipe has been the sole exception. I really love the vanilla and maple syrup added in. I’m excited that I can finally enjoy these baked apples!
oh my gosh, these are the BEST cooked apples I’ve ever eaten in my life. I fixed 3 apples for my husband and I to share. There are No leftovers! I used real butter and 1 Tbsp of real maple syrup and 1 Tbs of cheap store brand. So happy I found your recipe! Thank you for sharing it.
Thank you so much Lynn!
no, thank you!!